Jesus, Light of the World

Jesus continued teaching in the Temple after the Feast of Booths, also called the Feast of Tabernacles. “I am the light of the world,” He said. “If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

During the Feast of Booths, sometimes called the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites traveled to Jerusalem and lived outside for a week in booths, shelters they built themselves from branches. They remembered the Exodus, when their ancestors left their lives as slaves in Egypt to travel to the Promised Land, where they would be free to worship God.

At dusk, priests in the Temple courtyard lit four giant candelabras taller than the Temple courtyard walls. Each candelabra had four bowls filled with oil. When the priests finished, 16 bowls lit up the city well beyond the Temple walls. The bright lights reminded the Jews that a pillar of fire led their ancestors through the wilderness at night.

In the background, musicians played their instruments: harps and lyres, flutes and trumpets, worshiping the Lord. Jews danced to the music, allowing the lights to remind them of how the light of God’s glory used to fill the Temple.

As darkness descended, Jesus stood in the Temple courtyard and told everyone He was the light of the world. To anyone choosing to follow him, He promised they wouldn’t have to find their way through the darkness of sin in a broken world by themselves. Instead, He would be their light, leading them to a new life of freedom, knowing that their sins would be forgiven. His light would lead them into a new life.

The crowd listened to Him and considered His logic. They could die in the darkness of their sins or follow the light of Jesus, trusting Him to forgive them and provide the guidance they needed out of their darkness and into his light. Many of them trusted Him to forgive their sins that evening.

Today, you have the same choice. You can continue living in the darkness of sin, counting on your best efforts to get you through your life, and then die in your sins. Or you can trust Jesus to be your light. He can forgive you and lead you into a new life.

Hear the words of Jesus. You can tell Him today that you are done walking in the darkness of sin. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Surrender your life to Him, and thank Him that you can now walk in the light that He provides.

Reflect:

How are you walking in darkness today?

How can you trust Jesus to lead you into His light and life?

Pray:

Thank You for being the light of the world. Today, I refuse to live any longer in the darkness of sin. Instead, I surrender my life to You, and I ask You to forgive my sins. Thank You that I can walk in the light You have so generously given me. Be the light in my world, and chase the darkness away.

About the Author: Anne Marie Winz has been a staff member with Cru for a long time. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading good books and talking with her girlfriends. She’s married to the amazing Mark Winz.